1 Samuel 10:26-27

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:17-27

Saul's nomination to the throne is here made public, in a general assembly of the elders of Israel, the representatives of their respective tribes at Mizpeh. It is probable that this convention of the states was called as soon as conveniently it might, after Saul was anointed, for, if there must be a change in their government, the sooner the better: it might be of bad consequence to be long in the doing. The people having met in a solemn assembly, in which God was in a peculiar manner present... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:26

And Saul also went home to Gibeah ,.... His native place, where was his father's house, to which he retired; where were no royal palace, or princely court, nor any of the ensigns of kingly majesty; and whither it does not appear that he was followed by the nobility or princes of the tribes, only accompanied by a few men, as next observed: and there went with him a band of men ; an army, or part of one they seem to be military men, at least men of strength, valour, and courage; gallant... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:27

But the children of Belial said ,.... Wicked, dissolute, lawless persons; men without a yoke, as the word signifies, who did not care to be under the yoke of government, at least not under the yoke of Saul; and these might be men of wealth, and of larger tribes, and better families than Saul was of, and therefore envied him, and thought themselves better for government than he was; and in a jeering scornful manner said: how shall this man save us ? whose family is so mean, and whose... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 10:26

A band of men - Not a military band, as I imagine, but some secret friends, or companions, who were personally attached to him. Others think that all the men fit to bear arms are intended; but this seems inconsistent with the life that Saul led for some time afterwards; for he appears to have gone into his agricultural concerns, and waited for a call from the Divine providence. See 1 Samuel 11:5 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 10:27

Brought him no presents - They gave him no proofs that they acknowledged either the Divine appointment or his authority. The Arab chiefs are, to this day, when on a march or excursion of any kind, supplied with every necessary by the free-will offerings or presents of the people in the villages or places where they encamp. Saul was now a public character, and had a right to support from the public. These sons of Belial refused to bear their part; they brought him no presents. He marked... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:26-27

Saul did not at once enter upon his duties, but went home to Gibeah, and there went with him, not a band of men , but the host, or the force, i.e. those brave men whose hearts God had touched. Whatever was noble and valiant accompanied him, to take counsel for the nation's good; but the children of Belial, i.e. worthless, good for nothing creatures (see 1 Samuel 1:16 ; 1 Samuel 2:12 ), despised him. In the A.V. the antithesis between the force, the strength and bravery... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:26-27

Sympathy and disparagement. The facts are— 1 . Saul is followed by a band of men brought into sympathy with him by the Spirit of God. 2 . He is despised by a depraved section of the people. 3 . He takes no notice of the disparagement. I. The SIMPLE FACTS GIVEN ARE EXCEEDINGLY NATURAL . For in Israel there were men anxious for a king, and pledged to sustain one; and men, as in all communities, corrupt, unreasonable, prone to disapprove of anything not done solely... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 10:26-27

Illusive Presages. A mild, clear morning may be followed by a stormy day. A prince may begin to reign with gentleness who afterwards becomes proud, ruthless, impatient, even harsh and bloodthirsty. There are few instances of this in history so pathetic as the case of Saul, who began his reign with every indication of a magnanimous character, yet was soon deteriorated by the possession of power, and made himself and all around him most unhappy. In him we see how good impulses may be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 10:26

A band of men - Rather, “the host,” “men of valor,” There seems to be an opposition intended between the “valiant men” and the “children of Belial” (1 Samuel 10:27). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 10:27

Presents - The מנחה mı̂nchāh was the token of homage and acknowledgment from the subject to the sovereign, and from the tributary nation to their suzerain. (See 2 Samuel 8:2, 2 Samuel 8:6; Jdg 3:17-18; 1 Kings 4:21; 2 Kings 17:4, etc.; Psalms 72:10; Isaiah 16:1.) Saul dissembled his resentment, and waited for the favorable tide which soon came with the invasion of Nahash. read more

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